Suspect in standoff relinquishes badge

Oswego police accept Wolfinbarger's resignation

OSWEGO, Ill. — The Oswego police officer involved earlier this month in an armed standoff with police in Channahon has resigned from law enforcement.

The Oswego Police Department, Chief Dwight Baird announced in a press release late Wednesday, has received and accepted a letter of resignation from Officer John Wolfinbarger. The resignation was effective Wednesday, March 20.

Wolfinbarger had been a patrol officer in Oswego for 11 years.

"The Oswego Police Department respects and honors the personal rights of individuals employed by the Department, however, we expect our employees to act in a lawful, professional and respectful manner both on and off duty," a press release from the Oswego Police Departmenty noted.

"As a nationally accredited police agency, we are held to the highest standards of service and integrity."
Wolfinbarger, 43, of Yorkville, had been on administrative leave since hours after the March 13 incident outside a Channahon pizza restaurant.

When the standoff concluded that evening, Wolfinbarger was arrested by Channahon Police on charges of obstructing a peace officer, disorderly conduct and driving under the influence. Wolfinbarger was off-duty at the time of the incident.

The charges came after local police had Wolfinbarger held in his car at gun point in the parking lot of the plaza in which Chicago Pizza and Catering is located just east of the intersection of Ridge Road and U.S. 6.

A call came in a little after 5 p.m. March 13, Channahon Chief Jeff Wold explained that night, that a man with a gun on his waistband had walked into the office at Chicago Pizza while yelling and arguing with an employee. He never pulled the gun.

The Channahon chief said Wolfinbarger never identified himself as a police officer. Wold said he did not believe Wolfinbarger was attempting to rob the restaurant, but rather was just arguing and rambling.

Customers yelled that he had a gun. Wolfinbarger then left the restaurant and got into his black Chevy pickup.

"When officers arrived on scene, the officers stopped him at gun point. (Wolfinbarger) stopped the car, rolled up his window and refused to get out," said Wold.

As the officers attempted to coax the man from the truck, he threw his wallet out of the window and challenged officers to come by the truck door to get it. Police held the man at gun point for about 20 minutes, until he finally gave up.

He made some phone calls from his cell phone and then got out of his truck, said Wold. He did have a loaded weapon. No shots were fired and no one was injured.